I am writing with the hope that you  may be able to help clarify early Quaker burial practices, specifically how to care for a Quaker burying ground of the colonial era (established in 1722 by Richard Hartshorne, of Middletown, NJ), of which I have recently become a caretaker.

According to my research, early Quakers (such as the first Hartshornes, who were by all accounts very devout), did not believe in the use of grave markers. They believed that death makes us all equal before the eyes of God, and considered grave markers to be a vanity of the wealthy--an effort to differentiate and elevate themselves above the poor, even in death.

It later became acceptable to commemorate the lives of loved ones by marking the place of burial with a simple stone, engraved only with the name of the individual, and dates of birth and death, no decoration or other inscription. This was not until the mid 19th century, however. Our cemetery has numerous monuments dating from this era that are in keeping with this tradition.

Subsequent generations became involved with other denominations (Episcopal, Dutch Reformed, Presbyterian, etc.) by both marriage and conversion, so there are a variety of faiths and traditions represented in our small cemetery. My question for you, is how best to honor these earliest Quaker Burial sites, as it is now possible to accurately identify their location without risk of disturbance using current technologies such as ground penetrating radar.

Is it appropriate to mark graves retroactively, which were originally unmarked in accordance with Quaker teachings, because the Quaker religion has since revised this opinion and deemed grave markers acceptable?  Or, should unmarked Quaker graves remain unmarked out of respect for the spiritual beliefs held by the deceased at the time of their deaths?

If the latter, would it be appropriate to install a plaque or monument in the vicinity of these burial sites providing an explanation of the earlier Quaker beliefs and traditions, and that individual grave markers have been intentionally omitted in deference to the wishes of the deceased?

Leaving such esteemed and noteworthy ancestors in unmarked graves seems reprehensible to my 21st-century sensibilities. I feel strongly that something should be there to commemorate the lives of these founders of the region, even if not a formal "monument". Any guidance you can provide regarding what would be a suitable way to honor their memory in keeping with their faith would be greatly appreciated. I have been in touch with the Religious Society of Friends and their historians, but as so few projects of this nature have been undertaken (no pun intended!), they left it entirely to my discretion as to how to treat this from both a philosophical and aesthetic standpoint. I would truly appreciate something a bit more definitive and specific.

April Klinge, april.r.klinge@gmail.com